San Francisco/Chinatown-North Beach

With pagoda-tiled roofs, Cantonese conversations, busy live-produce markets, mahjong players, and little old Chinese ladies confidently spitting on the pavement — Chinatown is a unique part of San Francisco. Established in 1850, in the area around Portsmouth Plaza, San Francisco's Chinatown is reputed to be the oldest and one of the largest and most famous of all Chinatowns outside of Asia. Many of the Chinese who settled here were merchants or immigrant workers, working on either the transcontinental railroad or as mine workers during the Gold Rush. Today, it is home for more than 100,000 Chinese and Chinese-Americans, many of whom are low-income, elderly, and foreign born, living in dense tenements. It is also a cultural link for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Chinese-Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area. Chinatown holds a prominent position in the history of Chinese and Chinese-Americans in the United States, from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the present day. The residual "bachelor" society one finds in San Francisco's Chinatown today cannot be understood without some knowledge of these hostile decades. The tourist section of Chinatown is mainly along Grant Avenue, from Bush to Broadway. Grant Avenue was made famous by Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song. The Chinatown market area is mainly along Stockton Street, one block above (west of) Grant Avenue, and the east-west streets crossing Stockton. Other San Francisco concentrations of Chinese shops and restaurants are located in the Inner Richmond District, mainly along Clement Street, and the Outer Sunset District, mainly along Irving Street. However, they developed later, as the Chinese population of San Francisco was legally prevented from moving outside of Chinatown until the mid-20th century, with the first Chinese communities on the west side establishing themselves only in the late 1950s.

Forming part of the old Barbary Coast (an extinct neighborhood infamous for its crime, prostitution, and general unruliness), and popular with both locals and tourists alike, North Beach remains one of the most popular and beloved neighborhoods in San Francisco. Nestled between Chinatown to the south and Fisherman's Wharf to the north, North Beach is the Italian part of town and is known by the moniker "Little Italy." Telegraph poles, painted in the colors of the Italian flag (green, white, and red), delineate the boundaries between these two neighbors. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and is rich in both history and culture. The neighborhood derived its name as the bay shoreline originally reached as far as Taylor and Francisco streets, and the area was indeed a real beach until the city subsequently filled it in. The portion of Grant Avenue that runs straight through North Beach is the oldest street in San Francisco. Authentic old-world Italian cafes, restaurants, delicatessens and bakeries line the steep streets. North Beach was also the West Coast's capital for the Beatnik movement in the 1950s — you can still see many of the places where Jack Kerouac and the "Dharma Bums" hung out and wrote their dark poetry. Other literati celebrities that hung out there were; Alan Ginsberg, Neal Cassidy (Dean Moriarity in Kerouac's On The Road), and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Alan Ginsberg wrote his most famous poem 'Howl' while living at 1010 Montgomery Street. Today, the neighborhood is also very well known for its happening nightlife scene. Nightclubs and bars abound — particularly at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Grant Avenue. At its base, Broadway is a mini red-light district, made famous in the 1960s by Carol Doda with her "twin 44s." The area is still full of adult bookstores and strip clubs; despite this, strangely, like everything in San Francisco, it retains a certain charm. Washington Square (another old Beat hangout), in front of the Saints Peter and Paul Church, is a very popular hangout with locals, and a great place to relax. North Beach has also some famous residents past and present, like baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and movie director Francis Ford Coppola.

MUNI's T-Third rail line terminates at the Chinatown-Rose Pak station, located (as the name suggests) in Chinatown on the southeast corner of Stockton and Washington Streets. The T-Third connects to BART rail at the Powell Street station, where a rather long concourse connects to the T-Third's Union Square/Market Street station, and to Caltrain at the 4th and King station.

Driving into the area is not recommended, but if you must, the closest parking garage to Chinatown is underneath Portsmouth Plaza, on Kearny Street (which is a one-way street north) between Clay and Washington. Other Chinatown garages are the Golden Gateway at 250 Clay Street, North Beach at 755 Vallejo Street, and St. Mary's Square at 433 Kearny Street. All garages are open 24 hours a day, except for Golden Gateway. There are also a few small parking garages scattered throughout North Beach, including Imperial Parking at 425 Broadway Street. Driving to the base of Coit Tower is definitely not recommended, as there is a very limited amount of parking at the top of the hill.

Each of the three Cable Car lines pass through Chinatown. If you exit BART or the MUNI Metro at the Powell St. Station you can catch the Powell-Mason or the Powell-Hyde cable car line at Powell and Market. Both routes will take you into Chinatown, but the Powell-Mason line is a better bet for getting to North Beach as the Powell-Hyde line turns west at Jackson and proceeds into Russian Hill. To reach Chinatown's famous Grant Avenue via the cable car, exit BART or the MUNI Metro at the Embarcadero Station and catch the California cable car line at California and Market.

Of course, if you'd rather avoid the long lines and crowded trip that a cable car ride entails, there are several good MUNI bus lines that serve the area. To get to Chinatown from the BART/MUNI Metro, exit at the Montgomery Street Station, walk one block up Post Street, and catch the 30-Stockton or 45-Union bus line on Kearny near Post. The 30 or 45 bus will turn left onto Sutter and then right onto Stockton; after passing through the Stockton Tunnel, the bus will stop twice in Chinatown, on Stockton near Clay and on Stockton near Pacific. To get to North Beach from Market Street, the 10-Townsend, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 30, or 45 lines will do nicely. From the east, the 1-California line passes through Chinatown. The 39-Coit goes from Fisherman's Wharf up to the Coit Tower, but can be obstructed by traffic that clogs the parking lot there, but there are plans to change this.

Chinatown is also an easy walk from Union Square (walk north on Stockton through the tunnel or north on Grant through the Chinatown Gate at Grant and Bush). Similarly, North Beach can be easily accessed by walking northbound from Market Street, straight through the Financial District. Both neighborhoods can also be easily reached from Market Street by simply walking northbound on Grant Avenue. To get to the area from Fisherman's Wharf, walk southbound straight down Columbus Avenue.

6 Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny St, 3rd floor (From Portsmouth Sq: just walk across the footbridge that crosses Kearny St to the Hilton Hotel), ☏ +1-415-986-1822, fax: +1-415-986-2825, info@c-c-c.org. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. The center was established in order to promote understanding of Chinese and Chinese American history, art, and culture in the US. They have a small gallery with changing Chinese art exhibitions. Free. (updated Dec 2022)

7 Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, 965 Clay St (between Stockton St and Powell St), ☏ +1-415-391-1188, fax: +1-415-391-1150, info@chsa.org. M–Tu closed, W – Su 11AM-4PM. This is well worth a visit, with exhibits on the history and experience of Chinese immigrants to San Francisco over the past 150 years. Free. (updated Dec 2022)

8 Stylers Art Gallery (時代畫廊), 661 Jackson St (between Kearny St and Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-520-5694, info@stylersart.com. M-F 11AM-5PM; Sa-Su 10:30AM-5:30PM. Enjoy authentic Chinese artwork at this gallery. It has the biggest showroom (at basement level) for Chinese painting and calligraphy in China Town. They also offer classes in calligraphy for those who want to take their appreciation a step further. Free.

9 Beat Museum, 540 Broadway St (at Columbus Ave), toll-free: +1-800-537-6822. 10AM-7PM daily. Features quite an extensive collection of exhibits, books and manuscripts that focus on Jack Kerouac and the literary Beat Generation. Plenty of books and T-Shirts for sale here as well. $8 adults, $5 students/seniors. (updated Apr 2015)

10 North Beach Museum, 1435 Stockton St (on the second floor of the Eureka Bank building, between Green St and Vallejo St), ☏ +1-415-391-6210. M-Th 9AM-4PM, F 9AM-6PM. Photographs, pictures and artifacts that shed light on the rich history of North Beach. Free.

11 Old St. Mary's Church, 660 California St (at Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-288-3800. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM. This is a Chinatown landmark. A beautiful brick building, it is the oldest Roman Catholic church in San Francisco. Free.

12 Tin How Temple (天后古廟), 125 Waverly Pl, 4th floor (between Washington St, Clay St, Stockton St, and Grant Ave). 10AM-4PM daily. This tiny temple is the oldest Taoist temple in the country. It is dedicated to Matsu, the Taoist goddess of the Sea. Hundreds of gold and red colored lanterns adorn the ceilings, whose relative size depends on the size of the donation made. The lanterns are inscribed with the name of the donor, in the hope that it will bring them a long and fulfilling life. Free (Donations accepted).

13 Norras Temple, 109 Waverly Pl (between Washington St, Clay St, Stockton St, and Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-362-1993. 10AM-4PM daily. This is the oldest Buddhist temple in the city and was named after the Norras Buddhist Temple in Tibet. It has an impressive gilded-wood altar that was imported from China. Free.

14 Ma-Tsu Temple, 30 Beckett St (between Pacific Ave, Jackson St, Kearny St and Grant Ave). Dedicated to Matsu, goddess of the Sea, but has only been around since 1986. Free, a small donation will get you a good luck charm to wear around your neck.

15 First Chinese Baptist Church, 15 Waverly Pl (at Sacramento St, between Stockton St and Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-362-4139, fax: +1-415-362-7644, office@fcbc-sf.org. Established in the year 1880 as one of the oldest churches in the city, it is worth a visit. It was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, but rebuilt with the help of American Baptists across the US. It is known as a bilingual and bi-cultural church and its ministry has historically reached out to immigrants and newcomers. Free.

16 Buddhas Universal Church, 720 Washington St (between Kearny St and Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-982-6116, fax: +1-415-421-3325, bucsf@sbcglobal.net. At five stories tall, this is the largest Buddhist church in the US and is home to the largest Buddhist congregation in San Francisco. The altar was shaped to represent the ship of the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha) and its teak-paneled walls are supposed to be the sails of the ship. Free.

17 Kong Chow Temple, 855 Stockton St (between Clay St and Sacramento St), ☏ +1-415-788-1339. Founded in 1857, this is a Taoist temple in honor of the God of honesty and trust — the deity, Kuan Ti. It has many colorful altars, where color is used as metaphor — green for longevity, red warns off evil spirits, and gold projects majesty. Free — donations accepted.

Much of the architecture in Chinatown and North Beach was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire. However, there are still some structures that are worth seeing including the Saints Peter and Paul Church and Old Saint Mary's Church, listed under Temples and Churches above. Chinatown is a mix of Edwardian and Chinoiserie architecture that was built after the fire and has many decorative buildings. It may not be authentic Chinese architecture, but it retains a certain charm, and more of one when you realize that it was an intentional strategy on the part of the Chinatown community to project power within the city by marketing their distinctive culture. Throughout Chinatown the traditional grid system of American cities is permeated by numerous alleys. Other architectural points of interest include:

20 Chinatown Gate, Grant Ave (Grant Ave and Bush St). Erected in 1970, this ornate dragon-crested gate, marks the southern entrance to Chinatown. The Gateway is inscribed with the saying "All under heaven is for the good of the people," by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

21 Bank of Canton, 743 Washington St (between Kearny St and Grant Ave). M-Th 9AM-5PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-4PM. Built in 1891, it was destroyed and rebuilt in 1909, originally the building housed the country's only Chinese telephone exchange. The exchange closed in 1949 and the building was subsequently restored and turned into a bank in 1960. The building is arguably the first important building in Chinatown. It is a three-tiered pagoda style building.

22 Sing Fat Building and Sing Chong Building (at the corner of California St and Grant Ave). Two great examples of multi-tiered pagoda buildings on opposite sides of the intersection. The Sing Chong Building was one of the first buildings rebuilt after the fire, and today it is one of the most photographed buildings in the city.

23 Bank of America, 701 Grant Ave (at Sacramento St). M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-2PM. Pagoda style building with a three tiered roof and decorated with ornate gold dragons and medallions on the outside.

24 Engine No. 1 — Firehouse, 451 Pacific Ave (between Montgomery St and Samaome St). One of the original Fire Houses in the city, it used horse-drawn equipment and was built in 1868. It was ironically destroyed by the 1906 fire and was rebuilt in 1909 by architect Newton J. Tharp as a two-story building with large arched entrance. The new architecture was heavily influenced by the "City Beautiful" movement.

25 Columbus Tower/Sentinel Building, 916 Kearny St (at Columbus Ave). This flatiron (wedge shaped) copper-green building is an unmistakable San Francisco beauty. The "Grateful Dead" once recorded some of their songs there. Today it is owned by movie-director, Francis Ford Copolla. It now has a cafe on its ground floor, where you can grab a coffee whilst admiring its impressive setting, at the foot of North Beach.

27 Portsmouth Square (花園角廣場) (bordered by Kearny St, Washington St, Clay St, and Walter Lum Pl). This is the largest area of open space in Chinatown. It is known as the "Heart of Chinatown" because the neighborhood began along one of its sides and extended from there to become what is known as Chinatown today. The square bristles with activity, and here you find local residents playing cards or Chinese chess, and practicing Tai Chi. The square contains several memorials, statues, and plaques — including a bronze replica of the Goddess of Democracy statue and a marker commemorating Robert Louis Stevenson.

28 St. Mary's Park (聖瑪利公園) (south side of California St, opposite Old St. Mary's Church). 6AM-10PM. This park boasts an Art Deco statue of Sun Yat-Sen, created by sculptor Benny Bufano in the 1930s. It also has a plaque commemorating those soldiers of Chinese ancestry that died in both World Wars.

29 Ping Yen Mural (at Stockton St and Pacific Ave). Created by Darryl Mar, this mural celebrates the history of Chinatown and what life is like there today.

30 Chinese Railroad Workers Mural, 827 Stockton St (on the Chinese Charity Cultural Services Center between Sacramento St and Clay St). A mural by Amy Nelder depicting the early Chinese workers who settled the area in the 1870s to work on the transcontinental railroad. Unfortunately, they were often the target of racism, ignorance, and intolerance.

31 Washington Square (at Union St and Powell St). Every day at around 8AM-10AM, locals practice tai-chi, the martial art and meditation practice. Different sections of the park will host everything from jazzercise to sword-play. Sunny days will bring out locals lounging on their blankets. Art fairs are frequent, and the oyster-beer fair in March is very popular. Note the sculpture to volunteer firefighters on the Columbus Ave side. The Sts. Peter and Paul church of the Salesians borders the northern side. Joe Dimaggio and Marilyn Monroe were photographed outside of the church, but they could not be married inside because she was divorced. Monroe and Dimaggio had their reception around the corner at a place which is now called "Pena Pacha Mama" (Powell St between Union & Green). The park used to be a favorite among the Beat poets as well — Jack Kerouac used to hang out here frequently enjoying the sunshine with a bottle of port.

32 Juana Briones Monument (at Stockton St and Filbert St). See the monument erected in honor of this humanitarian and pioneer settler of Yerba Buena (now North Beach).

Walking is not only the most environmentally friendly way to see this area, it is also undoubtedly the best way, as it allows one to experience its rich ambiance and charms first hand. A knowledgeable guide can be a big help in this regard, and several companies offer different kinds of walking tours through both Chinatown and North Beach:

San Francisco City Guides, ☏ +1-415-557-4266, tours@sfcityguides.org. Take an informative and free tour of either North Beach or Chinatown from the people who know it best — the locals. Free.

Barbary Coast Trail, ☏ +1-415-454-2355, info@barbarycoasttrail.org. Take a tour of San Francisco's historic Barbary Coast. A series of bronze medallions and arrows are embedded into the sidewalks and help you navigate through the Barbary Coast Trail's historic sites. You can either download a map ($8.95) or audio tour ($25) or take one of their guided tours which are available by appointment only ($22 per person with a $352 minimum).

Culinary Walking Tour of North Beach and Little Italy, Departs: 480 Columbus Ave (in front of BMO Bank), toll-free: +1 888 651-9785. 10AM, 2PM daily (except December 25, 26, January 1, and Easter). North Beach is famous for its food and cafe culture, so why not take a four hour guided tour of its family bakeries, sidewalk cafés and traditional Italian pastry shops. The tour includes an authentic Italian meal as well as a narration of North Beach history. Adult, $89; Child (14 & under), $69 — Included: Narration, Food Not Included: Gratuities.

Chinese New Year Festivities. Jan or Feb. Celebrated for over 5,000 years, the San Francisco version of the Chinese New Year dates back to the Gold Rush Days. The parade is colorful, vibrant and loud, with decorative costumes, lions, deafening firecrackers, "lucky-money" envelopes, colorful banners, over 100 ornately themed floats, martial arts groups, stilt walkers, acrobats, and of course a 200 foot Golden Dragon that has a six foot-long head. Free.

Autumn Moon Festival, ☏ +1-415-982-6306, info@moonfestival.org. Mid-late Sep for two days, 11AM-6PM each day. Commemorating the autumn equinox, a full moon, and Chang O (an immortal Goddess that lives in the moon), this festival is an important event in the Chinese lunar calendar. It has parallels with America's Thanksgiving Day, as it encourages contemplation and giving thanks for the rich bounty of the summer harvest. The festivities include Chinese acrobats, lions, music, dance and Chinese opera among other things. Free.

North Beach Festival, Washington Square Park, 1200-1500 blocks of Grant Avenue and adjacent streets in North Beach, ☏ +1-415-989-2220, fax: +1-415-989-6427. Takes place in mid June. A North Beach tradition that celebrates its Italian heritage. It features live music and entertainment, poetry readings, classical concerts, dancing, ArtE di Gesso (chalk art on the street), and varied arts and crafts exhibitions. Free.

San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade (all along Columbus Avenue), ☏ +1-415-434-1492, info@sfitalianheritage.org. Starts at 12:30PM. This parade, which celebrates Christopher Columbus and Italian heritage, attracts almost half a million spectators each year. The parade dates all the way back to 1869, making it the city's oldest civic event. Handmade floats run all the way from Fisherman's Wharf, and up Columbus Avenue as far as Vallejo Street, where the parade does a 180 finishing in Washington Square. Free.

The cheapest meal you can have on the go is to partake of the numerous take-out places along Stockton Street in Chinatown. The most dense parts of the Stockton Street Market stretch from Washington Street north to Broadway Street, filled with BBQ shops, dim sum shops, and other stores. Consider the Stockton Street Market as a progressive meal. Be patient, it is very crowded during the lunch hour. If you don't like crowds, try some of the restaurants off Stockton Street.

Although the many restaurants in Chinatown advertise themselves as Hong Kong or Guangzhou style, their offerings are by chefs from provincial towns in Guangdong, the quality of which is generally considered by Hong Kong or Guangzhou diners to be subpar to authentic Hong Kong or Guangzhou food.

1 Dol Ho (多好茶室), 808 Pacific Ave (up from Stockton St), ☏ +1-415-392-2828. Th-Tu 7AM-5PM. For excellent dim sum at a price that's a bargain compared to the touristy joints on Grant, this is a great place to eat. Most, if not all, of the clientele are Chinese, and this is a good thing. $1.75-6.

2 Bow Hon (寶漢), 850 Grant Ave (between Clay St and Washington St), ☏ +1-415-362-0601. 11AM-10:30PM daily. This small restaurant serves traditional clay pot dishes. Cash only. $3.95-10.

3 Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant, 960 Grant Ave (between Jackson St and Washington St), ☏ +1-415-989-2638. Th-Tu 11:30AM-3PM, 5:30PM-9PM, W closed. Formerly "Hong Kong Dim Sum," this restaurant serves great dim sum and traditional noodle dishes and is frequented by Chinatown locals.

4 Sam's Pizza, 618 Broadway St (near Grant and Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-391-1539. M-F 5PM-9PM. If you like greasy but very tasty fast food then you've come to the right place. Sam's is a small dingy late night diner; the sign says pizza, but they do a mean burger and fries. It's very popular with locals from the busy Broadway area. $5-10.

5 Taqueria Zorro, 308 Columbus Ave (near Broadway St and Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-392-9677, fax: +1-415-392-1299, contactus@taqueriazorro.com. 10AM-10PM daily. Excellent little budget taqueria with good quality food at a very reasonable price. It's clean, the portions are generous and the service is excellent. They can sometimes put together a large burrito in less than a minute from time of order to time of eating. Juke box and large screen TV in the back. $6-10.

6 Buster's, 366 Columbus Ave (corner of Columbus Ave and Vallejo St), ☏ +1-415-392-2800. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F-Sa 11AM-2AM. Another classic late-night spot for the inebriated and starving. The sign outside says that they have the best Philly-cheese steaks in the city... almost certainly not true, but with its fresh ingredients, it's pretty good nonetheless. They also do a very good burger at a reasonable price. Friendly staff and open late to cater to the party crowd. $5-10.

7 Pat's Cafe, 2330 Taylor St (at Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-776-8735. Breakfast and Lunch: 7:30AM-3PM daily, Dinner: Th-M 5:30PM-9PM. Charming little cafe serving traditional American fare, with friendly staff and very reasonable prices. $5-10.

8 Cafe Zoetrope, 916 Kearny St (at Columbus), ☏ +1-415-291-1700. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Owned by the film director Francis Ford Coppola, Zoetrope is an elegant Italian restaurant located in a historic landmark, the Sentinel Building, in the shadow of the Transamerica Pyramid.

9 House of Nanking, 919 Kearny St (Cross Street — Jackson St), ☏ +1-415-421-1429. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su noon-9:30PM. The most famous Chinese restaurant in San Francisco and justifiably so. Let the waiter order for you. The Moo Shu Pork is sublime. $6-12.

10 Mo's Gourmet Hamburgers, 1322 Grant Ave (between Vallejo St and Green St), ☏ +1-415-788-3779. Su-Th 9AM-10:30PM, F-Sa 9AM-11:30PM. American style diner that definitely has one of the best burgers in San Francisco. Mo's has a unique rotary-style grill in the front window to lure unsuspecting hungry people in. When you leave though, you will not be hungry — Mo's burgers are HUGE, and are best complemented with a frosted cold glass of beer! Burgers, fries and a coke around $12.

11 Mama's, 1701 Stockton St (On Washington Sq), ☏ +1-415-362-6421. Tu-Su 8AM-3PM. Unbelievably popular place with locals, you only need to see how long the lines are outside at breakfast to understand the popularity of Mama's — it has become a North Beach institution. In 2007, it won Zagat's "Best Breakfast in San Francisco." Breakfast and lunch go for about $9-11.

12 North Beach Pizza, 1462 Grant Ave (at Union St), ☏ +1-415-433-2444. 9AM-1AM daily. One of the best pizzas in the city, and right in the heart of North Beach. $8-25.

13 Old Ship Saloon, 298 Pacific Ave (at Battery St), ☏ +1-415-788-2222. M-F 11:30AM-3PM, 4:30PM-midnight; closed Sa & Su. Great sandwiches in the reincarnation of an old saloon built atop the buried remains of a merchant ship that was blown ashore by a storm in 1849. $9-14.

14 Yuet Lee, 1300 Stockton St (at Broadway St), ☏ +1-415-982-6020. W-M 11AM-3AM. No-nonsense Chinese restaurant with an eclectic but authentic menu, with offerings like stir-fried Watercress and Fresh Frog Rice Soup. $8-25.

15 Great Eastern, 649 Jackson St (at Kearny St), ☏ +1-415-986-2500. 10AM-2:45PM, 3:30PM-1AM daily. This Chinese restaurant has a HUGE menu that focuses primarily on the fruits of the sea like Dungeness crab, oysters and giant prawns. They are also known for doing a pretty good duck. $12-258.

16 R & G Lounge, 631 Kearny St (at Commercial St), ☏ +1-415-982-7877, info@rnlounge.com. 11:30AM-9:30PM daily. An authentic upscale Cantonese Restaurant and Lounge. All types of seafood including Salt and Pepper Crab. Entrees $10-35.

17 Caffe Sport, 574 Green St (off Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-981-1251. Tu-Sa noon-2PM, 5PM-10:30PM. Italian food meets hippie bus. Plates of pasta served family style. Some very nice seafood pastas. They may bring what you order, or perhaps what the chef thinks would go together better. They have house wine, served in water tumblers. Small, a little noisy, and a lot of fun. Opens special hours for World Cup faithful. Cash only. Entrees $15-24.

18 The Stinking Rose, 325 Columbus Ave (between Vallejo St and Broadway), ☏ +1-415-781-7673, sfcomments@thestinkingrose.com. Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM. This is the place if you love garlic, and only if you really love garlic. The original in what has become a chain of garlic restaurants offering sumptuous, contemporary California-Italian cuisine prepared and adorned with garlic. Motto: "We Season Our Garlic With Food!" Be warned, people might be reluctant to be near you the next day. Entrees $19-30.

19 North Beach Restaurant, 1512 Stockton St (at Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-392-1700, fax: +1-415-392-1587, NorthBeachRestaurant@yahoo.com. 11:30AM-11:45PM daily. Fine dining from the Tuscany region of Italy. This restaurant has a lavish interior with cherry wood walls, high ceilings and Florentine tiled floors. There are four dining rooms in total and there is a cigar room and wine cellar in the basement. $30-60.

20 Fior D'Italia, 2237 Mason St (between Chesnut St and Francisco St), ☏ +1-415-986-1886, fax: +1-415-441-8774, fior@fior.com. 11:30AM-10:30PM daily. Set a few blocks back from the Wharf area, this is one of the nation's oldest Italian restaurants, and it has been open since 1886. A favorite among locals and visitors alike, it serves authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Entrees from $16-36.

21 Tommaso's, 1042 Kearny Street (off of Broadway), ☏ +1-415-398-9696, margi@tommasos.com. Tu-Sun 5PM-10PM. Old Italian restaurant that opened in 1935 and serves Neapolitan cuisine. They have a large selection of pizzas, pasta, and also some seafood dishes. No reservations. Entrees $18.50-26.

1 Li Po's, 916 Grant Ave (at Washington St), ☏ +1-415-982-0072. 2PM-2AM daily. This dive bar is great to pop into while in Chinatown. Although it has nothing on tap, bottled beer is available along with cocktails and spirits. Check out the seedy booths in the back lit by a single red bulb. Or catch a live act in the dimly-lit basement on the weekends. (updated Feb 2026)

2 Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge (寶寶), 1155 Grant Ave (near the intersection of Kearney St and Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-421-6730. 3PM-2AM daily. Little hole in the wall dive bar, run by the irrepressible hostess/owner Candy Mama, a 50-something woman originally from Taiwan. She's a spitfire and a complete rock star. She'll end up doing shots with you, sneaking shots into your drinks, force-feeding you endless peanuts and making adorable and incessant conversation. The crowd's an eclectic mix, which makes for great people-watching, especially when the karaoke is broken out.

3 Buddha Lounge, 901 Grant Ave (at Washington St), ☏ +1-415-362-1792. Noon-2AM daily. Another favorite dive bar in Chinatown, this is a cramped yet lively place that's great for people watching.

4 Red's Place, 672 Jackson St (at Beckett St), ☏ +1-415-956-4490. 11AM-2AM daily. It is the oldest operating bar in Chinatown. It's a quiet place, ideal for conversations.

5 15 Romolo, 15 Romolo Pl (at Broadway St, half block in from Columbus Ave intersection), ☏ +1-415-398-1359. 5:30PM-2AM daily. The hidden bar has a lovely dark red decor. Formerly the "Basque Hotel" this historic hotel and bar becomes quite crowded on one of the busiest blocks during a Friday and Saturday night in North Beach. It's also positioned on a steep street, with a side entrance that seems furtive and secret.

6 NorthStar Cafe, 1560 Powell St (at Green St), ☏ +1-415-397-0577. 1PM-2AM daily. The North Star is a standard bar that you will find almost everywhere in the U.S. It has pool tables, a bar, and as the evening goes on becomes standing room only. This is a good bar for hanging out with friends and making new ones.

7 Specs, 12 William Saroyan Pl (down a small alley off of Columbus Ave, around the corner from Tosca), ☏ +1-415-421-4112. Su-Th 4:30PM-2AM, F-Sa 5PM-2AM. Opened in 1968, Spec's is a holdout from the Beat era of North Beach. The bar is filled with artifacts, and is perhaps the best place for a serious conversation in all of downtown San Francisco. (updated Feb 2026)

8 Tosca, 242 Columbus Ave (between Broadway St and Pacific Ave), ☏ +1-415-391-1244. Tu-Su 5PM-2AM. Another landmark North Beach Cafe/Bar, Tosca is dark but atmospheric interior complete with some cool red-leather booths. The bar is named after the opera Tosca and has an intense list of operas on the jukebox. Willie Brown, former mayor, hangout. It's known for its specialty "Coffeeless Cappuccino" — steamed milk with brandy and chocolate. There are about 15 cappuccinos lined up on the bar ready to serve since they are so popular.

Back in the days of the Gold Rush, Osgood Street (O-So-Good Street!) in North Beach used to be considered the red-light district. Today, the section on Broadway Street between Columbus and Samsome Street is an area that many consider to be the city's red-light district. It has many exotic-dance clubs like Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, Roaring 20s, and the more famous Condor. Carol Doda made this place famous in 1964 by injecting silicone into her chest and creating what would become known as "the new Twin Peaks of San Francisco." A plaque on the outside commemorates the venue; The Condor; Where it all began; The birthplace of the world's first topless & bottomless entertainment; Topless — June 19, 1964 Bottomless — September 3, 1969 Starring Ms. Carol Doda; San Francisco, California

The undiscriminating heckles from over-zealous doormen enticing customers into the shows can be a bit tacky and off-putting, especially for those who enter the area to go to the other non-strip clubs. Consequently, many people are put off from even entering the area.

North Beach in particular is famous for its "caffe culture." It has an excellent variety of cafes, many of which serve award winning coffee, sometimes imported all the way from Italy. Here is a selection of the more popular ones;

16 Caffe Trieste, 601 Vallejo St (Vallejo St and Grant Ave), ☏ +1-415-392-6739. Su-Th 6:30AM-11PM, F-Sa 6:30AM-midnight. Has become a North Beach landmark. Although a little bit scruffy, it has excellent coffee — certainly one of the best cups of coffee in North Beach, and it's very popular with the locals. One famous local patron was Jack Kerouac and reportedly Francis Ford Copolla wrote part of the Godfather here.

17 Stella Pastry & Cafe, 446 Columbus Ave (between Green St and Vallejo St), ☏ +1-415-986-2914, fax: +1-415-397-9140. M-Th 7:30AM-7PM, F-Sa 7:30AM-midnight, Su 8:30AM-7PM. Small elegant cafe/bakery that serves fresh affordable coffee with delicious treats like cannoli and tiramisù available on the side.

18 Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Ave (between Green St and Vallejo St), ☏ +1-415-397-6261. Su-Th 7AM-11:30PM, F-Sa 7AM-midnight. Probably North Beach's most popular cafe, especially with locals. It has a real European atmosphere and imports its coffee from Italy. Curbside tables add to the ambiance.

19 Bohemian Cigar Store, 566 Columbus Ave (at Washington Sq), ☏ +1-415-362-0536. M-Sa 10AM-midnight, Su 10AM-11PM. Excellent espresso and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with curbside tables that overlook Washington Square. Its cappuccino is prize-winning.

20 XoX Truffles, 754 Columbus Ave (between Filbert St and Greenwich St), ☏ +1-415-421-4814. M-Sa 9AM-6PM. Run by local Chef Jean-Marc Gorce, this teeny-tiny place is more of an award-winning truffle vendor than coffee shop. However, the coffee is fresh and even if you just order a small house-blend for just $1 you'll get a free truffle (worth 75 cents).

1 Grant Plaza Hotel, 465 Grant Ave (at Pine St), ☏ +1-415-434-3883, fax: +1-415-434-3886, info@grantplaza.com. Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: noon. Good for 1 or 2 night stay. Rates are reasonable. Make sure you ask for one of the outside rooms that overlook Grant Avenue, the inside rooms are small, dark and dingy. Close to parking garages and walking distance to many restaurants, bars and attractions. Staff is friendly. $70-95.

2 The Green Tortoise Hostel, 494 Broadway St (at Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-834-1000, toll-free: +1-800-867-8647, fax: +1-415-956-4900, hostel@greentortoisesf.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. A favorite of backpackers world-wide, price includes free internet and wi-fi, free breakfast every morning, a sauna, pool table, common room, free beer at the Beer Olympics on Tuesday nights and free live music on Sundays. An ideal location, right between Chinatown and North Beach and a short walk from downtown. dorms from $35, private from $80. (updated Sep 2023)

3 San Remo Hotel, 2237 Mason St (near Lombard St and Columbus Ave, three blocks south of the main tourist area and near the other cable car line), ☏ +1-415-776-8688, info@sanremohotel.com. Check-in: 2PM-10PM and 11PM F-Sa, check-out: 11AM. At the other end of the spectrum is the San Remo Hotel, All rooms except a rooftop suite are under $100. It was built right after the 1906 earthquake, became apartments later, and has been nicely reconverted to a hotel. It appears to be a favorite place for European tourists. It is quiet, all non-smoking, has no room phones nor TVs, and shared baths. A nice and large Italian restaurant, Fior d`Italia, self-proclaimed "The oldest Italian restaurant in the United States," has moved into its street floor. $75-85.

4 Castro Hotel, 705 Vallejo St (between Emery Ln and Stockton St), ☏ +1-415-788-9709. Fancy a short stay at an S.R.O., well here's one that rents by the week. The rooms are clean, it's in the heart of North Beach, it's safe — being directly opposite the police station, and it gets good reviews. $165 per week.

5 SW Hotel, 615 Broadway St (near Columbus Ave), ☏ +1-415-362-2999, fax: +1-415-362-1808, swhotel@swhotel.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Named after its owner Sam Wong, this budget hotel is decorated with everything Asian. The rooms are a bit smaller than standard but it is situated in a very central location in Chinatown and the price is reasonable. $140-160.

6 Hotel Boheme, 444 Columbus Ave (between Vallejo St and Green St), ☏ +1-415-433-9111, fax: +1-415-362-6292, info@hotelboheme.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Hotel Boheme is located in a popular Italian neighborhood with decorations that pay tribute to San Francisco's Beat Generation. The building may be hard to find, with only a single innocuous doorway covered by a small awning. You have to buzz at the door to enter but you get a key for this door on check in. Past the door is a steep and narrow staircase leading up to the next floor. On the second floor to the right of the landing is the hotel office. A bottle of Sherry surrounded by cordial glasses is set out for guests on the landing sideboard each night. Hotel staff are always friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about everything San Francisco. $174-194.

7 The Orchard Garden Hotel, 466 Bush St (between Grant Ave and Kearny St), ☏ +1-415-399-9807, fax: +1-415-393-9917. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A stylish eco-friendly hotel, claiming to be San Francisco's "greenest" hotel, this lodging gets almost universally good reviews. $200-309.

8 Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, 600 Stockton St (at Pine St), ☏ +1-415-296-7465, fax: +1-415-291-0288. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. This hotel has a spacious lounge, fitness center, pool, and 4 star dining room in a Beaux-Arts building. It has 336 guestrooms, including 60 suites. $449-500.

9 Washington Square Inn, 1660 Stockton St (at Washington Sq), ☏ +1-415-981-4220, toll-free: +1-800-388-0220, fax: +1-415-397-7242, info@wsisf.com. Check-in: 3PM-9PM, check-out: 11AM. Modeled after boutique European hotels it offers many services including a complimentary breakfast, and evening hors d'oeuvres. Rooms are well appointed with European antiques, cable TV, private baths, and free wi-fi. Centrally located in North Beach, it has views over Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, and Washington Square Park. $179-395.